A brawl Saturday between Eastern and Carroll has forced a late scheduling shift in Saturday’s inaugural Pigskin Kickoff Classic. Both the Ramblers and Lions were scheduled to play in the D.C. State Athletic Association event, but due to suspensions, neither school has enough eligible players to field teams.

What was initially a three-game slate, has been reduced to a two-game bill.

According to a Thursday press release, Anacostia faces St. Albans in a game that will kickoff at noon at Eastern. Bell will take on Maret at 2:30 p.m. Maret was originally slated to face Eastern.

The classic concludes Friday Sept. 12 at 7:30 with a matchup between charter school stalwart Friendship Collegiate and Turkey Bowl runner-up Wilson.

McKinley was scheduled to play Carroll in a 5 p.m. game at Eastern, but the Trainers have not found a replacement opponent.

“I’m very disappointed, two teams get in a fight and my team is punished,” McKinley Coach Robert Lee said. “If Carroll is suspended and Eastern is suspended, it seems like it would be easy for us to play Maret. . . but it looks like we won’t be playing.”

According to the referees report submitted to Washington District Football Officials Association Commissioner Al Ferraro, five Carroll players remained on the bench during the brawl while three Eastern players left the bench to enter the fight.

“It was a brawl, both teams left the sidelines,” DCSAA Executive Director Clark Ray said. “Both teams were involved and the strong message we need to send is sportsmanship first. When we’re playing, appropriate conduct is expected, but unfortunately players got caught up in the moment and we chose to sit players on both teams.”

Ray said that the contest between Carroll and Eastern was suspended in progress, and no decision has been made as to the final outcome of the contest.